Panera Bread Is Making Four Changes To Win Customers Back

Panera Bread has a four-step plan to combat slowing sales and
rising competition, according to a recent research report by
Goldman Sachs.

The plan is meant to "improve service and ultimately the overall
customer experience," the analysts write.

These four changes will take effect in 2014:

1. Adding labor. Panera Bread is hiring more
employees. It also plans to give current workers more hours. This
will ease the burdens on staff and give them more time to assist
customers.

2. New equipment. The company is spending
millions to add new food preparation equipment, which will also
reduce wait times, according to the note.

3. New menu. The brand is eliminating some
"hard-to-produce," items, according to Goldman. "Among other benefits, this new menu, which
has already been tested, is meant to reduce consumer
confusion/indecision that slows down the line at the point of
sale during peak periods," the analysts write.

4. Catering hubs. Instead of running its
catering business out of stores, Panera Bread will build hubs
that will service three or four locations. This will keep
employees focused on customers.